Filling the Gap: How to Volunteer Strategically (pt. 2)
Photo: Alexander and Main by Laura Zee on deviantART
If you like the idea of volunteering as a way to build your resume, be strategic when searching for the right volunteer position. Try asking yourself a few questions before starting.
What are my interests? Determining what you want to get out of your volunteer experience will help you narrow down exactly where you want to volunteer. It’s important to decide whether you are looking to learn a new skill, practice an existing one, or give back to your community in a certain way.
Depending on your field, you may or may not be able to find a volunteer opportunity that matches your job target. Consider setting up informational interviews with a few companies you want to work for. Ask them who their ideal candidate would be, and try to tailor your volunteer experience to fulfill one or more key job requirements.
Take an architect, for example. You are not likely to find a volunteer position that allows you to practice architecture, due to liabilities. However, dealing with clients is a big part of an architect’s job, so perhaps you want to find a volunteer opportunity that has you interacting with the public or practicing your business communication skills.
Or, let’s say you’re an accountant. You are not likely to find a volunteer position where you will be working with confidential financial data. However, administrative tasks are part of an accountant’s job, so consider a volunteer position as an administrative assistant. You may also want to volunteer as a fundraiser or treasurer at a not-for-profit, as you can be involved in budgeting and other bookkeeping duties such as expense reports, tax receipting and collecting and accounting for donations.
Do I have the time and money to volunteer? Not all volunteer opportunities let you reclaim your travel costs. If this is the case, you may want to volunteer closer to home. And, you likely have responsibilities beyond volunteering. Consider your work, school and family schedules, and assess whether a volunteer position can reasonably fit within your existing time commitments.
Should I volunteer at a not-for-profit? Keep in mind that volunteers often form the backbone of a not-for-profit organization. If you are a skilled volunteer, chances are you will have a moderate to high level of responsibility. No matter how strongly you agree with the mission of the not-for-profit, think critically about whether you have the right skill-set for the position. Volunteering at a not-for-profit is a good opportunity to gain experience, but should not be taken on half-heartedly.
I’m ready to apply! Once you identify the type of role you’re looking for, and decide if you have the time and money to accommodate a volunteer position, you’re ready to apply. There are websites like Go Volunteer and Charity Village that post up-to-date volunteer opportunities, so take a look and see if anything interests you. The majority of the postings you’ll find on these websites will be at not-for-profits.
If you want to volunteer at a company, try contacting the human resources department to find out if they accept volunteers, and in what capacity. Ask to schedule a brief meeting where you can explain your skill-set and how specifically you would like to contribute to the organization. If the company is understaffed or extremely busy, they may see training and directing a volunteer as a lot of effort for an unknown amount of output. The closer the fit between your skills and the organization’s needs, the more likely they will be to take you on as a volunteer.
Whatever your reasons are for volunteering, remember to think of it as an exchange. Not only will the organization see the benefits of your hard work, you will also develop personally and professionally along the way.*
Excellent tips. Thanks for sharing.